A parliamentary inquiry has recommended that the ACT government not approve any direct sale of land at the Hawker Village shops until thorough community consultation is completed. The inquiry was established after a petition against the direct sale attracted more than 500 signatures.
Woolworths Group Limited applied in March 2024 for a direct sale of four blocks of land at Hawker, including the surface car park, to expand its existing supermarket. However, Planning Minister Chris Steel told the company in March to go back to the drawing board, citing that the proposal did not meet government expectations, particularly regarding new housing.
The Legislative Assembly's standing committee on environment and planning said it was time for the government to harness residents' fondness for the shops and develop its own vision for the future of Hawker. The committee recommended that no direct sale application be approved until the recommended consultation is completed and the government response published.
Woolworths told the inquiry that its current Metro store at Hawker cannot meet strong demand for a full-line supermarket, serving a primary catchment of about 12,000 people and a secondary catchment of 16,000. The company said it was willing to work with the government to determine if a mixed-use development including housing was feasible.
The committee noted that almost all local residents agreed Hawker Village needs an upgrade, but views were split on Woolworths' proposal. The report stated that the extent to which changes are accepted will depend on the depth and effectiveness of community consultation and the benefits to the community.
